The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy, set to electrify Budapest’s MVM Dome from September 19 to 21, promises to be a thrilling chapter in the PDC European Tour. As the 12th of 14 events on the 2025 PDC Pro Tour, this tournament brings together darts’ biggest stars, including teenage sensation Luke Littler, world number one Luke Humphries, and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen. With a prize fund of £175,000 up for grabs, including a hefty £30,000 for the winner, the stakes are high for these titans of the oche. As the fifth edition of this prestigious event unfolds, the spotlight shines on what these players stand to earn and the fierce competition awaiting them.
The Hungarian Darts Trophy has a rich history of dramatic showdowns. Last year, Michael van Gerwen, known as “Mighty Mike,” clinched the title in a nail-biting 8-7 victory over Gian van Veen, pocketing the £30,000 top prize. “It’s always special to win in Budapest,” Van Gerwen remarked after his triumph, a sentiment that underscores the event’s growing prestige. In 2023, Dave Chisnall edged out Luke Humphries in another 8-7 thriller, while Joe Cullen and Gerwyn Price claimed the crown in earlier years. This year, Van Gerwen returns as the defending champion, but the field is stacked with talent, including Littler, Humphries, Stephen Bunting, Jonny Clayton, Gary Anderson, and Josh Rock, all vying for a share of the prize pool.
For Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy who captivated the world with his 2025 PDC World Championship win, the Hungarian Darts Trophy offers another chance to bolster his burgeoning fortune. Having already amassed over £1.5 million in career prize money, Littler’s meteoric rise makes him a favorite to claim the £30,000 winner’s cheque. Humphries, the former world champion who fell to Littler in the 2024 World Championship final, is equally motivated. “You have to bring your best game against these guys,” Humphries said, reflecting on the challenge of facing top-tier opponents like Littler and Van Gerwen. A strong performance in Budapest could see him add significantly to his earnings, with the runner-up earning £12,000 and semi-finalists pocketing £8,500 each.
The prize structure rewards progression through the tournament’s grueling format. Quarter-finalists will secure £6,000, while those exiting in the third round take home £4,000. Second-round losers, including some seeded players, earn £2,500, though a rule change this year means seeded players who fall in the second round won’t see that amount reflected in the PDC Order of Merit. First-round exits still yield a respectable £1,250. “It’s a tough field, but every match is a chance to prove yourself,” Littler noted, emphasizing the competitive intensity of the 48-player event. With 16 seeded players entering in the second round and 32 qualifiers battling it out from the first, the path to the final is fraught with challenges.
This year’s tournament introduces new qualification dynamics, with the top 16 players from the two-year PDC Order of Merit seeded, while 16 others qualify via the one-year Pro Tour Order of Merit. Notable qualifiers include Martin Schindler, Cameron Menzies, and Development Tour leader Cameron Crabtree, alongside Tour Card Holder qualifiers like Robert Owen and Ritchie Edhouse. Withdrawals, potentially influenced by the World Series of Darts Finals the previous week, could shake up the seeding, offering opportunities for qualifiers to advance further and claim larger shares of the prize fund.
The Hungarian Darts Trophy isn’t just about money—it’s about prestige and momentum. For Littler, a victory would cement his status as darts’ brightest star. For Humphries, it’s a chance to reclaim dominance. And for Van Gerwen, it’s an opportunity to add to his storied legacy. As the darts fly in Budapest, the £175,000 prize pool ensures that every throw counts, both for glory and for the bank balance.
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